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County board opts to stay with Dr. Moore

Publisher — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:55:45 +0000

County board opts to stay with Dr. Moore Publisher Wed, 09/02/2026 - 15:55

Karen M. Jorgensen, Staff Writer

Dr. Kellyanna Moore

After attempts to change from the current county coroner service, Steele County is on the path to leave things as is.

At their Aug. 25 meeting, the Steele County Board of Commissioners directed county staff to begin negotiations with Dr. Kellyanna Moore for a two-year contract as the county coroner. Moore has served as coroner since 2009.

The staff had earlier presented the board with three options, including two options to move from a local coroner to using the services of a medical examiner’s office. Those options involved an office that operated out of the Twin Cities; the other was out of Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

The action created a firestorm of controversy, especially with Moore – who had no knowledge of any potential changes.

The subject of the coroner contract was on the board’s work session agenda earlier in the afternoon.

At that meeting, County Administrator Renae Fry said the board had three options. Since there was little time remaining in the work session before the regular meeting was scheduled to begin, Fry said the discussion could be put on the next work session agenda, and she would give details of the discussions she had with the four funeral homes in Steele County.

Board Chair James Brady responded that “I’ve been here 12 years and never heard any complaints;” Fry responded that she was only going bring up funeral home preferences.

Commissioner James Abbe said he was “ready to vote now. I don’t need more information.” He said he had personally contacted all the local funeral homes.

Commissioner Greg Kreuger said he, too, had contacted the two largest funeral homes in the county, and he agreed with Abbe.

At that point, the board agreed unanimously to move the discussion to the board meeting agenda.

During the public comment section of the that meeting, resident Melissa Zimmerman brought up to an incident at this year’s Steele County Free Fair.

A man was found deceased Aug. 19 near a vendor booth at the Four Seasons Center before the fair opened for the day. The individual was later identified as Dean Vincent Longo of Tucson, Ariz. The event delayed the public opening of the area, and necessitated the presence of the county coroner.

If the coroner had to come from the Twin Cities or Rochester, Zimmerman asked, how would the delay have affected the fair?

During the official board discussion, Fry said the main concerns of the funeral homes were centered around the potential commute, as well as the cost if the body needed to be transported for an autopsy.

Fry also said the differences in cost between Moore and the medical examiner offices would mainly be that the medical examiners would bill at a flat rate, while Moore would bill the cost of an autopsy and staffing separately.

That, Fry said, could lead to a difference in cost from year to year.

When the coroner contract was first discussed at the July 14 work session, Fry raised concerns about contacting Moore directly, rather than having the local investigators call her.

In response to a question from the board at the Aug. 25 meeting, Fry said that the county had Moore’s direct number if needed.

Brady said he had talked with several funeral homes, and one had adamantly stated they had no problem with Moore and they probably do the majority of funerals for the county.

Abbe and Krueger agreed, saying they had similar discussions with funeral directors.

The commissioners agreed to renegotiate the length of the coroner contract from four years to two years.

Annex options

Also at the earlier work session, commissioners heard from representatives of SitelogIQ about options for space for the county’s Department of Human Services and Public Health.

Consulting firm Wold Architects and Engineering also provided a report.

Both firms inspected the building and provided estimated costs for two options: Gutting and reconfiguring the annex building or constructing an addition to the existing government center.

Wold presented two proposals for the existing annex building, with different interior designs, and one for an addition to the government center.

The SitelogIQ proposal also had three options: One for a full renovation of the annex; one for a partial renovation and building addition; and the third for the government center addition.

The SitelogIQ comparison had the cost for the full renovation at between $8.1 and $8.95 million; the partial renovation plus addition was estimated at between $9.2 and $9.9 million. The addition to the government center came in at $11 million to $11.75 million.

Estimates from Wold were similar, with $8.1 to $8.7 million for their Option 1; $8.3 to $8.9 million for Option 2; and $9.1 and $10.25 million for a government center addition.

The annex building was built in 1954, with an addition added in 1984.

As the end of the work session ticked to a close, there was little discussion on the details.

Fry told the commissioners it was important that they make a decision soon about either gutting and renovating the current annex, or add on to the government center.

They really need to make a decision at the next meeting, Fry said, so if any additional information was needed, she could contact both Wold and SitelogIQ.

Fry claimed the county would have enough bonding capacity for any of the options, pointing out that several of the county’s bond are scheduled to be paid off in the next couple of years.

Abbe voiced uncertainty about either option, saying he would like to reach out to local contractors.

Krueger didn’t disagree, but questioned if local contractors had the expertise to design the options.

Abbe suggested the county contact Mohs Contracting and several others in the area.

The others agreed; staff was instructed to contact local contractors for the commissioners’ consideration of the project.

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Barnwood Customs removes old barns, repurposes old wood

Publisher — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:52:50 +0000

Barnwood Customs removes old barns, repurposes old wood Publisher Wed, 09/02/2026 - 15:52

Karen M. Jorgensen, Staff Writer

Josh Clemens posed by a 1952 Chevy truck that had been owned by his grandfather Vince Thiele who built and put up Stor Mor grain bins on farms. Staff photo by Karen M. Jorgensen

Barnwood Customs is a unique local business that takes down old barns and repurposes the wood and other items found.

It recently held open house events to give people a chance to look at what the company does, said owner/builder Josh Clemens.

Clemens said that now that the open house weekend is past, Barnwood Customs will be open by appointment only at 612-715-1671. He said he is planning to have another weekend open house in October although no date has been set.

Clemens said he actually has two companies running under the Barnwood Customs banner. One aspect of his business is to remove old barns that have seen better days, and the owners want them taken down. Depending on the arrangement he has with the building owner, he often retains barnwood he is able to reuse and old items he finds in the barn. He said he does not remove those barns that have already fallen down. He added he is also trained to deal with older structures that contain lead-based paint or asbestos.

That leads to a large part of the second aspect of his business, he said, where he repurposes the wood from old barns for those who contact him looking for furniture, cabinets, doors, walls and other items using the barnwood. He has also incorporated the galvanized metal he has recovered for several home bars.

He repurposes some of the items he finds in old buildings in creative and unusual ways, he said. After looking at the shape of the old-fashioned sewing machine, he said, he realized with a little work and repainting it could be made to look like a tractor which he has sold for a decoration. He even paints the tractor in the specific color of a tractor brand, he said.

Another aspect of his business, Clemens said, is renting tables he has made for outdoor events such as graduation parties.

Clemens has sold works in the past, he said, but it has always been at special events including Rustic Mamas, Junk in a Trunk and the Home and Rec Show. This was the first time he has opened his farm to the public to come and browse.

For the future, he said, he is planning on open house weekends several times each year. At all other times customers can contact him by phone for information.

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BP Cancer marks 25 years

Publisher — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:50:46 +0000

BP Cancer marks 25 years

Coughlin’s fundraiser continues to grow

Publisher Wed, 09/02/2026 - 15:50

Kay Fate, Staff Writer

Amy Swanson, right, explains the significance of the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group’s Field of Flags to Martina, a foreign exchange student from Italy who will be attending BP High School this year. She was one of several students who helped put up flags to honor and memorialize loved ones. Staff photo by Kay Fate

If you believe in heaven, it isn’t hard to picture Eunice Coughlin and her daughter, Darla Bauer, smiling at each other in amazement.

They are, after all, the foundation of the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group and its wildly successful fundraising and awareness campaign.

After Bauer died in April 2000, the Fifth District Eagles Cancer Telethon, based in Rochester, took on new meaning for Coughlin.

Then in its fifth decade, the Eagles telethon regularly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research, bringing in donations from fundraisers held by Scout troops, service organizations and more across southern Minnesota.

“She just thought, ‘the other small towns can do it, why can’t we?’ She had just lost Darla, so that was the catalyst,” said Bonnie Coughlin, who married one of Eunice’s grandsons, Mark.

Now, 25 years after Eunice put together her own cancer fundraiser, the tradition she started continues to grow.

The Blooming Prairie Cancer Auction is set for Sept. 11-12, featuring a live auction at 6:30 p.m. both nights.

Last year, the event raised nearly $150,000.

“She was amazed at how much it grew,” said Bonnie, “because the first year, we raised something like $1,700. It was so small; just basically family friends, bake sales – whatever we had to sell to each other.”

But it was something tangible Eunice could do in memory of her daughter, and it just kept building.

Bonnie can relate: She and Mark lost their youngest daughter Kylie Mae to rhabdomyosarcoma in 2003, when Kylie was just a month old.

The second or third year after Eunice started her little fundraiser, Cheri Krejci and Jennifer Melton stepped in and started helping.

Soon, the B.O.B. Run got involved; the Bikers of Blooming Prairie grew their hair out for months, then raised funds in exchange for a dramatic series of haircuts.

“That was a huge boost,” Bonnie Coughlin said, “and Eunice was kind of instrumental in that, too. The guys raised, like, $10,000.”

It was one of the last events she was a part of; Eunice died – of cancer – in September 2008, but she seems to remain in the mix.

Her daughter, Sue Helgeson, “still makes her pies,” Bonnie said, just as she did for that first auction back in 2001.

Her grandson, Brandon Helgeson, will serve as the emcee both auction nights, as he did last year.

Another generational shift of note is the passing of the torch from Krejci to her daughter, Lindsey French.

She’s been with the cancer group for about five years; this is her second year as president.

“Once you’ve been touched by cancer, you want to do whatever you can to help in the fight, so that’s my biggest reason,” French said.

In her case, her mom is her biggest reason: Krejci was diagnosed with breast cancer not long after Eunice died.

“She’s one of the lucky ones,” French said of Krejci. “She’s going to be 17 years cancer-free in December. We’re fighting for a cure, and to just help people who are going through their cancer fight, too. A really big piece of the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group is the community fund,” which provides financial support for families undergoing treatment and medical care.

Coughlin, Mandy Doocy and Amy Snyder make up the remainder of the core of the auction committee.

“Every member of our committee helps out,” French said, “we just make sure we have all the pieces in place.”

That’s a bit like Eunice Coughlin, who was described as “a force.”

“She told us what to do and we did it,” Bonnie laughed.

“Grandma’s like, ‘cook 50 pounds of hamburger,’ so you cooked 50 pounds of hamburger – that’s just what you did.”

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DAIRYLICIOUS

Publisher — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:46:39 +0000

DAIRYLICIOUS

Jena Hanson crowned Princess Kay

Publisher Wed, 09/02/2026 - 15:46

Rick Bussler, Publisher

Shear excitement takes over the stage as Jena Hanson of Owatonna is crowned the 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way Aug. 26 at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights. Bottom: Moments after being crowned Hanson waves to the audience of several hundred people. She will represent the Minnesota dairy industry as the top ambassador for the next year. Staff photo by Rick Bussler

“It’s something I didn’t grow up with but it’s something I found a passion for over the years.”
-Jena Hanson, Princess Kay of the Milky Way

Perhaps it is her bubbly personality or her incredible knowledge of the dairy industry. Or just maybe it was that butter yellow formal dress that made her stand out.

Whatever it was, Jena Hanson rose to the top of nine other women to be crowned as Minnesota’s 73^rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way Aug. 26 at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights. Hanson is the first Princess Kay from Steele County since 2008.

“I’m so proud to be representing the dairy industry and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said Hanson just moments after being crowned.

Joining Hanson in the dairy court were Isabella Schiffler of Albany and Jaiden Smith of Melrose as they were selected as runners-up. Both represent Stearns County. There were 10 finalists for Princess Kay.

Hanson’s ascend to the top ambassador of the state’s dairy industry is anything but typical. Unlike most other Princess Kays over the 73 years of history in Minnesota, Hanson did not grow up on a dairy farm. She grew up in Owatonna and only became acquainted with the dairy life in recent years.

Hanson, 20, became active on the farm during her sophomore year of high school. For her it has been full throttle ahead ever since she joined Jon Schmidt of Schmity Holsteins south of Owatonna for a mentorship. She later worked with Clover Glen Dairy Farm near Claremont and currently is an intern with Kashome Holsteins by Medford.

“I didn’t think I could do it without growing up on a farm,” Hanson admitted. “It’s something I didn’t grow up with but it’s something I found a passion for over the years.”

Schmidt, who attended last week’s crowning ceremony, admitted he was a little surprised to see Hanson become Princess Kay, especially with her not growing up on a farm or being in 4-H. “She really got into it,” Schmidt said. “It’s amazing how someone from town wants to be involved with dairy. She is from the outside looking in. She took a different path and found it later in life.”

Hanson credits Dawn Kasper of Kashome Holsteins with pushing her to become a county dairy princess, which she did earlier this year. From that experience, Hanson immersed herself in learning more about Princess Kay.

Asked what she feels propelled her to Princess Kay, Hanson said: “My love for the dairy industry and all the support I’ve gotten over the past few years. I’m beyond grateful. I don’t know if I can sleep.”

After being crowned Princess Kay around 9 p.m. Wednesday, Hanson returned to the State Fairgrounds by 5 a.m. the next morning to begin her official reign with various media interviews. She also spent about six hours over two days getting her likeness carved out of a 90-pound block of butter in the Dairy Building by Minnesota native artist Gerry Kulzer.

She plans to donate her butterhead to the Owatonna Knights of Columbus for an upcoming pancake breakfast benefiting St. Mary’s School. “I’m really grateful to be able to give back to the community,” Hanson said.

Midwest Dairy, which sponsors the iconic Princess Kay competition, is also keeping Hanson busy throughout the entire fair with appearances at dairy shows, dairy barns and milking rituals. Princess Kay was a name selected in a Department of Agriculture contest nearly 60 years ago.

For the next year, Hanson will serve as the goodwill ambassador for Minnesota’s 1,500 dairy farmers by traveling all over the state. She will make public appearances to help connect consumers to dairy farm families. She will work to bring dairy to life through conversations, classroom visits and various speaking engagements about the nutritional benefits of dairy and dairy farmers’ continual commitment to environmental sustainability.

Rising to the top of the dairy industry has given Hanson a new perspective on life.

“My biggest message to others is that no matter how wild your dream is, go for it,” she said. “I was dedicated and showed my grit through it. I want girls to shoot for the stars.”

She is the daughter of Steve and Suzie Hanson of Owatonna and attends the University of Wisconsin- River Falls where she is majoring in dairy science.

Hanson is the fourth woman from Steele County to become Princess Kay since the program started in 1954. Others include Kathy Zeman in 1976, Kari Schroht Reuvers in 1978 and Kristy Mussman in 2008.

And as for that yellow formal dress, Hanson credited Amy Fox of Owatonna for getting her outfitted with it. “When I saw it was butter yellow, I went for it,” she said, noting it was only the most appropriate thing to do for a title like Princess Kay of the Milky Way.

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Field of Flags comes to Owatonna for America’s 250th, 9/11 anniversary

Publisher — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:43:50 +0000

Field of Flags comes to Owatonna for America’s 250th, 9/11 anniversary Publisher Wed, 09/02/2026 - 15:43

Karen M. Jorgensen, Staff Writer

It’s being billed as one of the most moving and inspiring displays Owatonna has ever seen.

A thousand American flags will be displayed Sept. 11-13 at Owatonna Degner Regional Airport as part of a tribute to the 25^th anniversary of 9/11. The flags will stand on 7 1/2 -foot white flagstaffs across the grounds of the airport, creating a breathtaking panorama of red, white and blue

In addition to 9/11, the display will mark America’s 250^th anniversary. Each flag represents a life of service and a story worth remembering.

Organizers say walking among the rows of waving flags is an experience that words can hardly capture. It is a place for reflection, gratitude and unity to honor those who have served and sacrificed for America.

A special dedication ceremony will take place on Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. where more than 1,000 people are expected to attend. Details of the ceremony have not been finalized, said Randy Sobrack of the organizing committee. The speaker for the event will be an impersonator of President Thomas Jefferson, according to Lynn Limberg, the event co-chair, along with patriotic music.

Shuttle service will be provided to the airport from Bass Pro, Sobrack said. Special handicapped transportation will also be available.

The flags will be dedicated in honor of local heroes who have made a difference in lives and also to commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the United States and the 25^th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It is being organized by the four Exchange Clubs in Steele County: Exchange Club of Medford, Moonlighters Exchange Club of Owatonna, Exchange Club of Owatonna and Exchange Club of Steele County.

The Field of Honor is free and open to the public, welcoming visitors of all ages to experience a stunning and powerful patriotic display; honor veterans, active-duty service members, and personal heroes; as well as reflect on the legacy of 9/11 and those who protect our freedoms and share a meaningful community moment with family and friends, according to the four Exchange Clubs.

The Field of Flags is a project of the National Exchange Clubs.

There is still time to buy a flag, volunteer to help on Sept. 12, and business sponsors are still welcome, Limberg said. Flags can be purchased for $50, she said. More details are available at www.healingfield.org/event/Owatonna-MN.

Limberg said that any money raised above the cost of the project will be given to the four Exchange Clubs to use for their core projects preventing child abuse, Americanism, community involvement and youth services.

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NEWS BULLETIN: Hanson begins reign as Princess Kay

Publisher — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:56:05 +0000

NEWS BULLETIN: Hanson begins reign as Princess Kay Publisher Thu, 08/27/2026 - 17:56

Owatonna’s Jena Hanson begins her reign today at the Minnesota State Fair as the dairy industry’s top ambassador.

Hanson, 20, was crowned as the 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way Wednesday night during a coronation at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights.

“I’m so proud to be representing the dairy industry,” Hanson said shortly after the crowning. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and overwhelmed.”

On Thursday and Friday, she will have her likeness carved out of a 90-pound block of butter in the Dairy Building at the State Fair.

During her year-long reign, Hanson will make public appearances to help connect consumers to Minnesota’s dairy farm families. She will work to bring dairy to life through conversations, classroom visits and various speaking engagements about the nutritional benefits of dairy and dairy farmers’ continual commitment to environmental sustainability.

Hanson was one of 10 finalists for Princess Kay. They were narrowed down to three finalists before Hanson was crowned as the Princess Kay.

She is the fourth Princess Kay from Steele County during the program’s 73-year history. The last was Kristy Mussman in 2008.

Currently, Hanson attends the University of Wisconsin- River Falls where she is majoring in dairy science management. She also interns at Kashome Holsteins by Medford.

She is the daughter of Steve and Suzie Hanson of Owatonna.

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Hanson crowned Princess Kay of the Milky Way

Publisher — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 02:18:11 +0000

Hanson crowned Princess Kay of the Milky Way Publisher Thu, 08/27/2026 - 04:18

Jena Hanson of Owatonna has been crowned the 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way at the Minnesota State Fair tonight.

She was one of 10 finalists.

We will have more on this breaking story tomorrow.

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‘I STILL BELIEVE’

Publisher — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:50:38 +0000

‘I STILL BELIEVE’

Jeremy Camp delivers high-energy Christian music

Publisher Wed, 08/26/2026 - 19:50

Rick Bussler, Publisher

Nationally renowned Christian singer Jeremy Camp performs at Faithfest during the Steele County Free Fair Aug. 19. His greatest hit, “I Still Believe,” was written following the death of his first wife in 2001. Staff photo by Rick Bussler

Despite enduring incredible loss, Jeremy Camp still believes. And that was more than evident Aug. 19 as he electrified a crowd of more than 2,000 believers at Faithfest during the Steele County Free Fair.

At just 23 years old, Camp was devastated by the loss of his wife of only three months to ovarian cancer. While he did not abandon his faith, he did experience a profound, painful period of grief, spiritual wrestling and deep confusion.

“God is a faithful God in the highs and lows of life,” Camp told the crowd. “He has been so faithful in my life.”

Camp shared how he wrestled with God in frustration.

“My faith was rocked to a core when my wife died,” he admitted. “I was super young and I thought I had so much faith,” he said, adding he wasn’t sure if he could trust God any longer.

But God worked in his life, providing him with the inspiration for what has become his iconic song, “I Still Believe.” Just a few weeks after his wife’s death, Camp said he was inspired to pick up a guitar when he explicitly did not feel like singing or writing.

The song’s core lyric is “I still believe in your faithfulness… I still believe in your truth… even when I don’t see.” His message is how the tragedy didn’t destroy his faith; instead, it completely transformed and deepened it.

Camp delivers a high-energy mix of up-tempo Christian rock, intimate personal testimony and communal worship. He uses hits like “Dead Man Walking” and “Reflector” to get everyone on their feet and singing along.

“I love watching people encounter Jesus,” Camp said. “It brings me so much joy with people who encounter the living God. His love for us never changes.”

At one point, he asked the crowd to turn on their phone flashlights during an emotionally heavy moment. The entire infield and grandstand lit up with lights.

Tasheena Cook of Owatonna found Faithfest to be amazing. She found herself “blown away” with so many emotions that gave her a heavy heart.

“It’s so powerful to have this many believers in one place,” she said. “It makes you feel like you are not alone when there are so many believers together.”

Cook said she fell in love with Camp’s music and other Christian songs while serving overseas in the military many years ago. “It’s what brought me peace over there,” she said.

She said she finds it refreshing that Owatonna is bringing religious singers to the forefront, especially at the fair.

Naomi Jirele, who serves as a pastor at Owatonna Christian Church, found Faithfest to be phenomenal. “I was wooed by the presence of all the people,” she said, adding the most touching moment for her was all the lights on the phones shining at once.

“The Bible talks about unity,” Jirele said. “When you get all these people worshipping in one place, he is going to work in their lives.”

Jirele found herself inspired by Camp’s presence and not necessarily his words. “It’s how he lives. He is so genuine, and in that authority, there is so much power. Jeremy Camp is a vessel and he knows that.”

For Jirele, Camp’s song, “I Still Believe,” brought her to a place where she has been herself. She lost her son, Ryan, to cancer a few years ago. “There’s a lot of questions. It brought us closer because we had to go past our own level of faith and needed to look beyond us.”

Brian Deml of Owatonna found it wasn’t so much the music but rather the people that inspired him during Faithfest. “It’s about the people we connected with,” he said.

Deml’s key takeaways from Faithfest?

“God loves us, and we are all in this together.”

Joining Camp during Faithfest were Thunderstorm Artis and Jon Reddick.

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Governor hopeful meets fair visitors

Publisher — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:45:01 +0000

Governor hopeful meets fair visitors Publisher Wed, 08/26/2026 - 19:45

Tom Sexton and Lisa Demuth Rep. Tom Sexton, District 19B, and GOP gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth were at the Steele County Free Fair last Saturday morning to meet and hear concerns from the voters.

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Lisa Demuth made a stop at the Steele County Free Fair Saturday morning, meeting voters at the GOP booth in the Four Seasons Centre.

Demuth served as Speaker of the House during the last sessions and won her place on the Nov. 3 ballot by defeating party-endorsed Kendall Qualls and Mike Lindell. She now faces DFL candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the November general election.

With the primary win behind her, Demuth said she now has her eyes set on the general election.

As she travels the state, Demuth said, what she is hearing most from the people is anger about the fraud that has surfaced in the state.

“They’re angry about the fraud,” she said. Minnesotans are feeling disrespected and frustrated by state leaders.

On her first day, she said, she will replace all the commissioners and deputy commissioners and replace them with experts in their fields.

She added that fraud prevention measures have already passed the Legislature under her House leadership, including the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General who is empowered with law enforcement tools to root out fraud across state government.

Minnesota needs new leadership, she said, as a Klobuchar governership will be the same as a third term for Tim Walz. Klobuchar has been running for office for 30 years and away from Minnesota for 20 years as senator and would not be able to make the needed changes.

Another of her priorities, she said, will be to make Minnesota more affordable and said there will be no tax increases while she is governor. Taxes on social security should be eliminated and there need to be fewer mandates on businesses and the state should be supporting business.

Her third priority, she said, is education. Despite years of increased investment, test scores have stagnated and only half of the state’s students are reading at grade level.

Reading literacy and academic excellence needs to be at the center of the agenda and parents need to make the best decisions for their kids, she said.

Education must prepare the student for what comes next in their life, she said, and she said she approves of the shift into trades and the outreach of some schools and community colleges with the business community.

It is no longer “one size fits all,” she said, as to education needs of students beyond high school. Choices must be made available, she said, given the interest of students in trades and the cost of higher education.

Demuth said despite the primary differences and her defeating the endorsed candidate, the party is coming together to support her candidacy.

“I was pleased Qualls put out the message he did,” after the election. All the constitutional candidates are ready for a fresh start.

She said despite the polarization of the legislature, they have proved they can work together. While there was no cooperation during the time of the DFL “trifecta” in 2023-2024, things were better last session when government was more divided between the parties.

“We found we needed to work together,” she said.

She said she has proven herself to be a bipartisan leader and during the next session the two parties need to look at working together for Minnesotans.

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SPREADING SOME JOY

Publisher — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:36:16 +0000

SPREADING SOME JOY

A century farm grows new dreams with flowers

Publisher Wed, 08/26/2026 - 19:36

Rick Bussler, Publisher

Michelle Krell has found beauty in flowers by opening Prairie View Flower Farm on the family’s century farm in Blooming Prairie Township.

“My whole goal is to spread joy. It brightens everyone’s day to get fresh handpicked flowers.”
-Michelle Krell, Prairie View Flower Owner

For years Michelle Krell has displayed her creative side through educating youth as one of Minnesota’s top educators. Now she’s finding a different way to express herself outside of the classroom.

Krell has taken her creativity outdoors by developing a flower farm on her family’s century farm in Blooming Prairie Township. It’s called Prairie View Flower Farm and offers the area’s newest flower business. In addition to the flowers, Prairie View continues to be a fourth-generation livestock and crop farm that began 116 years ago by John B. Krell, her husband’s great-grandfather.

“This is a different creative,” said Michelle Krell, who continues in her role as executive director of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association while operating the flower farm. Holding a fresh bouquet of flowers, Krell said: “Look at that, it’s so pretty.”

But aside from the beauty of the flowers, Krell has a confession: “I don’t know how to make a bouquet. Just about anything put together looks nice. I’m not skilled at it at all. I just do it.”

She has a wide variety of flowers to lean on for arranging bouquets. Among the many flowers she has planted over the past year are 700 snap dragons of four different types, 400 Dahlias, sunflowers and Zinnias.

After doing some initial research, Krell began her flower farm two years ago. “I decided I wanted to grow flowers to give to friends, family and church,” she said. “I wanted to spread some joy.”

She initially started by bringing bouquets to St. Columbanus Church in Blooming Prairie where her family attends. Besides glorifying church with flowers, she estimates she gave away around 300 bouquets in the first year. She shared her flowers on Facebook, and someone soon reached out wondering if she would consider selling her flowers. “I never thought of selling them,” she said.

That nudge became the catalyst for Krell to do even more research and consequently launching her flower farm with thousands of flowers. She received a flower bed layer featuring plastic and biodegradable as a Christmas gift. She also installed a drip line in the flower beds. “That saves us tons of time,” she says.

Currently, the farm offers 25 different types of flowers. Krell hand-planted 4,000 plants this year. There are “lots of different varieties” within the various flower types, she said, noting they are all annuals. “I think annuals are the prettiest,” she added.

“I was planning this out all winter and mapping it out,” said Krell. She began planting in mid-April and finished most of it around Mother’s Day in May.

Asked how she juggles a flower farm with her demanding job of leading Minnesota’s school principals, Krell said: “Lots of nights, early mornings and all weekend long.” She also hired Natalie Schumacher, a Blooming Prairie area teenager, as her garden helper with fertilizing, weeding and cutting.

Earlier this spring, Krell sold flower subscriptions where people would receive four bouquets throughout the summer for $100 (classic) or $140 (premier). She has sold 38 subscriptions this year.

Krell has found her happy place.

“Flowers are joyful,” she says. “My whole goal is to spread joy. It brightens everyone’s day to get fresh handpicked flowers. Two weeks of beauty is awesome.”

Krell said she has no desire to watch TV and would rather be outdoors with her head buried in the garden. “It feels good to have purpose and you are hopefully making somebody’s day brighter when they receive flowers,” she said.

She attributes her latest venture to her deep farm roots.

“I’m a farm girl at heart,” said Krell, who grew up on a livestock farm south of Blooming Prairie. She was involved in 4-H and FFA with hogs, dairy and sheep. “Farming has grounded me in hard work, gratitude and family. It feels good to be productive and work hard. My engine is always running. I wish I could be more relaxed.”

For Krell, gardening provides a reprieve from her regular job which finds her traveling around the state supporting about 1,100 principals for grades K-8. She has been in her current role for the past three years after serving as a principal at area schools and assistant superintendent in Owatonna for many years. In 2014, she was named one of the nation’s best elementary school principals.

“Impact is important to me. My mission in life is to support people to ensure they can be successful,” Krell said, noting stronger principals make the entire education system better. “Principals are the number one indicator of a school’s success.”

Whether it’s education or flowers, Krell said her mind never shuts off. “I’m not a good sleeper,” she admitted. “It comes down to purpose and impact. I’m all in. I give 100% in everything I do. I don’t cut corners.”

Krell said she’s able to detach from work while in the garden, but quickly added, “I always have my phone with me. I’m on call 24/7 and focused on helping people.”

When it comes to the flowers, Krell sighs and makes yet another confession. “I really don’t know what I’m doing,” she said. “It’s a lot of trial and error. Everything is a learning process,” she added.

She credits her husband, Rodney Krell, and friends for helping with this latest endeavor. Their six young grandchildren also love to come out and pick flowers. “Grandma is known for the flowers,” she said. “It’s fun to see happiness in people.”

On a recent morning in the garden, Krell said: “It’s delightful out here. I don’t want it to become unmanageable and take the joy out of it.”

Flower lovers can learn more about Prairie View Flower on Facebook or at www.prairieviewflowers.com.

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